The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-27
A MAN OF THEIR OWN KIND
That's What Coy's Ghoulish Gang Got in
Placing ODOnnell On Their Ticket.
They Have a Great Deal of Trouble, However,
in Explaining Their Action to Indignant
Friends Of the Late Candidate.

analyzed showed that the gang lad no othe
consideration for It's action than that Of com
pletng the ticket with its own followers on tn.
opportunity afforded by the death of MIR
Shields. The friends Of the latter, Democrat.
as we'll as organized workingmen, are in a MOOD
to accept no apologies, they regard the refusa
to nominate Thomas G. Shields brother of the
deceased, and particularly the indecent haste
with which ODonnell brought forward, az
an insult to the dead. Wherever politicians
gathered yesterday, except in the Immediate
circle of those devoted to Coy and his ''vndica-
ton" in the coming election. the nomination
met with nothing but unfavorable comment.
| This varied in degree from mere contemptuous
reference to scorn denunciation, but in in
stance was an effort made to defend either the
nominee or the act.
| 1t was argued that at any time the nomina alton
OK O'Donnell would have been an insult to the
intelligence and wishes Of respectable Demo
Gratis, as his career on the police force developed
nothing to commend him to the consideration of
those who desire good municipal government
The Police Commissioners gave him trial as
| superintendent. before that little was known
concerning him, except that he wrote plainly
and neatly as clerk Of the Police Court The
only other merit he seemed to possess said q
democrat yesterday, was ''rhat he never said
anything" Those who know him well
attribute his silence to rank stu
pidity. The Police Commissioners
soop found they had made a mistake in regard
10 O'Donnell. Controlled by Coy he winked at
the repeated violation Of the Sunday and IL
O'Clock law. The drunkards were arrested I'M
DER the direction of O'Donnell, but the man who
sold the liquor could transact his business on
sunday and after midnight without being dis
turoed So aggressive became this discrimina-
ton in favor of one class of law-breakers that
ODonneii was forced to resign in order to save
frnr Is n
came then the protege of Johns q.
sullivan, who placed him. where IA
vors to the law-breakers could be
extended. In trying to weaken the force of in
dignation which is turned against the gang, Coy
said yesterday that Sullivan knew nothing about
the nomination or the death of Mr.. Shields. 1t is
claimed that Sullivan was in New York on Sat
urday, and therefore could not have dictated
the nomination of ODonnsll, but for weeks Mr.
Shields's condition has been precarious. Indeed.
MS retirement from the ticket has been talked
or. as he was assured the only relief for him
was to be found in a change Of climate. His
Preparations for trip 10 California were about
that he might die on the way, he had arranged
for a friend to attend him and his wife on the
journey. The gang knew this, for day after day
Coy was q constant visitor to Dir. Shieldss house
during his sickness, and there be doubt
but that for weeks he and Sullivan have counted
on the vacancy and in doing so settled on O'Don-
nell as the candidate. The act in
naming this for city clerk
Is looked upon not merely as indecent, but out
rageous. 1t was this feeling that led an Irish
citizen yesterday to dsnounce O'Donnell and his
nomination in the presence of Coy. The little
boss endeavorsd to to keep the irate Irishman
quiet but he continued in denouncine ODonnell.
earnestly and ppealingly in a low tone, ''husb,
hush: Keep quiet. won't you. We over
heard" No political act for years has been more
effective in distur bling the Democracy than this
ehoulish haste of the gang in naming candi-
date before the remains of Mr. Shields were
buried Many say it would have been bad
oh haH hiatt
named, but with him the force of the outrage is
doubled
One of the leading Democratic ward candi-
dates said last night: There never was a |
greater political mistake made than that by our |
executive committee in nominating Mike O'Don-
nell for city clerk. 1t was not only premature
but the nomination was made at the sacrifice of
500 votes at least. There is nothing to prevent
this valuable quantity going over to the Repub-
licans, for it was held to the Democrats solely
by Shields"
THAT is true" remarked a Democrat who is
close to one or two leaders of the
gang. II have had mon come to me to-day be-
rating the committee for what it has done.
They say they are under no obligations to sup
Shields. and will not DO it. This is the first
year In fifteen in which have not been active
In politics, but my experience teaches me the
disastrous effects,of hasty and i'll advised action
such as the ODonnell nomination, can pro-
duce It a close call for the Democrats at
the best. but now think the disaffsction solely
On this account will cause our defeat by
several hundred majority."
EYES," said the FIRST speaker, "Sim Coy him
self considers the party in bad shape. notwth-
standing his boasts"
The Democrats in the Twenty-ffth ward are
worse than ever this year in their factional fight
against Gaul, the candidate for Council. The
difficulty is renewal of the row that begun
with Curry and Gaul four years ago AS Alder
nansRal describes it. there has been Demo.
cratic harmony down in that ward. but always
With the Ratchet buried with the handle up
The hatchet," he continued, ''has been pulled
,ut this time by the old Democrats, and they are
waving 1t like wild Comanches"
Mike O'Donnell last Monday night was lob by
ing in the Board Of Aldermen in the interest of
he Citizens Street Railway ompany's Haugh-
vile project.
Evening News: The remains of the late la
nented Michael F. Shields. city clerk. were not
old in death on Saturday before there was
consultation between Simeon and the county at
orney. and soon after it was announced that the
o-called executive committee OF the Democratic
ity central committee had selected Michael |
)'Donnell to fill the vacancy on the ticket and
e had accepted. And SO it goes. 1.-THE fewer
nen you have in these politics the better" And
While this so-called executive committee were
lotting over the spoils to be derived from the
cath of Mr.. Shields. party opponents, like
Councilman Pearson and others that could be
AIMED. counseline how to tide over this
Unfortunate illness and death, in order that the
rief-stricken and bereaved family might re-
Give some benefit from the Office. This shows
be difference. There is no such thing as
eminent with the gang" for Michael F.
hields dead is as if Michael F. Shields never
lved.
The Liquor League has not only contributed
loney by the thousands for the Coy campaign
expenses, but have raised fund of So, 500 for
denharter's own use. It is also collecting money
Or the personal expenses of the Coy candidates
Or Council in the close wards.
The Republicans of the Sixteenth ward will |